“No more waiting, Caity.”
“You told me you wanted to bury yourself and not pull out until sunup.” Caitlyn swallowed, hoping she hadn’t taken too seriously something that had meant the world to her.
“I am going to bury myself within you, and it will be several days before anyone sees or hears from us. I’m going to make love to my wife until you beg me to let you rest.”
“The only thing I shall beg for is more.”
Alex thrust into Caitlyn, who tilted her hips to receive him. They moved together over and over, Alex always cautious not to squash Caitlyn. She marveled at the muscles that rippled across his body, running her hands over the grooves and ridges. Alex watched the desire flare in her eyes as she explored him. There was no hesitation. She didn’t even ignore his limp arm, only cautious when she skimmed her fingers over it, more worried about not hurting him than disgusted by what she felt.
“I love you, Caitlyn Armstrong.” Caitlyn dragged Alex in for a kiss with such ferocity that it shocked him. He slid his good arm beneath her and rolled them, so he was on his back. “I couldn’t spy nearly enough last night. I want to watch my wife as I make love to her.”
Caitlyn rocked against him as they experimented with various movements until they found the motion and rhythm that pushed them both over the precipice. They flew through ecstasy together before collapsing, breathless and blissful. Too hot to care about the covers, they drifted to sleep wrapped in one another’s embrace.
Sixteen
Alex glanced down at Caitlyn, who slept at his side, when knocking roused him from his early-evening daydreaming. They’d spent the rest of the morning and all afternoon in bed together. Neither believed all their troubles resolved merely by agreeing to marry. They discussed what they intended to say in a missive to Innes and Collette, and they worried about King Robert’s impending reaction. They considered when they should depart for Mangerton Tower, both nervous about being on the road again with days of travel ahead of them. They made love in between the discussion; their bond, created from a lifetime of friendship but endangered by circumstance, grew stronger as they planned for their future together. Joining their bodies was as much about pleasure as it was sharing an undeniable love and devotion to one another.
However, reality refused to remain at bay, and Alex had little choice but to slip out of bed. He drew the bed curtains closed, ensuring Caitlyn’s privacy. He pulled his breeks on as he crossed the chamber to the door. He hesitated, not lifting the bar or unlocking the door as he recalled what brought Caitlyn to his chamber that morning.
“Who goes?”
“Alex, it’s David. We need to speak.”
Alex sighed as he lifted the bar, but he turned back to the bed when he heard it creak. Caitlyn poked her head through the gap in the curtain, searching for her chemise. She scurried off the bed and grabbed the garment before diving back onto the bed and drawing the curtains closed. Alex unlocked the door and opened it a crack.
“The king is livid. The queen doesn’t know where Lady Caitlyn is, and neither you nor the lady have answered when people knocked at your chamber doors.”
“I have heard no knocks until now.” Alex’s brow furrowed. They’d dozed a few times, but he didn’t think he’d slept that deeply. He hadn’t dreamed once, and as best he could tell, neither of them shifted in their sleep. They’d remained pressed together in one another’s embrace. He wondered if having Caitlyn beside him might finally allow him to slumber in peace.
“Mitcham came up here earlier but got no answer. Lady Caitlyn’s maid went in search of my lady more than once, but never found her. People are saying you ran off together again. It’s worse, since everyone knows the men and I are here.”
Alex turned back to glance out the window embrasure. The sun was nearing the horizon, and it would soon grow dark outside. They would use that to their advantage when they slipped out of the keep. “Gather the others and Lady Caitlyn’s guards and wait for us outside the postern gate. We have an errand to run.”
“Alex—”
“Now. We must be back before they lock the gates for the night.”
David nodded and backed away from the door. Alex shut the door and locked it once more as Caitlyn emerged from the bed. She gathered her clothes and dressed as she waited for Alex to explain what he meant by an errand. She was uncertain if it included her. She’d donned her clothes before Alex explained his intentions, so she stepped before him and helped button his doublet while asking, “Where are you going?”
“Weare taking a pouch of coin to the kirk in town and getting married.”
“But no one has read the banns.” Caitlyn doubted even a generous donation could sway a priest into marrying them.
“We married by consent and consummated our marriage,” Alex grinned, “several times. This is a formality, but it’s one that will keep King Robert from punishing you or keeping us apart. We must try.”
“But can we really claim that? There were no witnesses.”
Rather than answer her question, Alex stepped away from Caitlyn and went to the chest that sat against the far wall. He rummaged through the few belongings he’d brought until he found two pouches. One clinked with coins, but Caitlyn couldn’t guess what was in the other. He handed her the silent one.
“Open it.” Alex waited as Caitlyn poured an emerald ring into her hand and looked up at him, eyes wide with shock. “Mayhap the Lord already intended it, or mayhap I am a sentimental fool. I’ve carried that ring with me for the last three trips here. I’ve known all along that I would only ever ask you to marry me. That ring belongs on no woman’s hand but yours. Even coming here this time, I couldn’t leave it behind. I never imagined offering it to you. It was more of a comfort to me. But I want to slip it on your finger this eve and know that it’s finally found its home.”
“It’s your mother’s ring.” Caitlyn stared at the jewelry, remembering how she’d embarrassed herself at five-and-ten by blurting out that it reminded her of Alex’s eyes. She and Coira had been in Collette’s solar while Caitlyn’s mother and Cairren visited the village. She and Coira were sewing, and the sunlight struck the stone, making it sparkle. She’d spoken without thinking. Coira had been gracious enough to nod and hum her agreement, but it had mortified Caitlyn.
“Aye. Mother told me aboot what you said that day. I already wanted to marry you. After that, I was certain which ring to give you. I asked Mother for it nearly a year ago. I should have asked then.”
“Alex.” The single word was a reverent whisper as Caitlyn wrapped her fingers around it and pressed the ring against her palm. She stepped forward, tilting her head back in an invitation Alex eagerly accepted. The kiss was brief but fueled by years of longing. When they pulled apart, Alex drew a cape from the chest and wrapped it around Caitlyn. It was enormous on her, but it shielded her identity. They wound their way through the keep, using back stairways and corridors until they entered the bailey. There were few people left working, the evening meal drawing close. The couple met their guards on the other side of the postern gate and slipped into town.
Caitlyn kept her head down, the hood of Alex’s cloak covering her entire head and half of her face. Alex’s arm rested lightly around her lower back, a reassurance to Caitlyn and sign of possession to any they passed. The guards encircled them as they hurried through the streets, not daring to tarry. When they reached the town kirk, Mitcham darted up the stairs and tried the door. The group heaved a collective sigh when it opened. Mitcham and Stephen remained at the doorway, sentries on either side, while the rest of the party made their way down the aisle.
